Dozens calling to adopt dog shot with arrow

The prosecutor's office is reviewing the case against the owner, according to Lapeer County Animal Control. There is no specific donation fund for the dog, but donations can be made to animal control.

This 2-year-old flat-coated retriever wandered around for two days with an arrow sticking out of her head after she was shot by her owner with a crossbow, authorities say. The blue and yellow arrow protruding straight up narrowly missed the dog's brain and optic nerve.(Photo: Lapeer County Animal Control)

Lapeer County Animal Control Chief Officer Aimee Orn's office has been flooded with dozens of calls from people wanting to adopt Gemma, the black, flat-coated retriever that wandered around for two days with a crossbow arrow protruding from the top of her head.

As Orn and her staff handle the influx of calls since the story broke Friday, Orn said she expects charges by midweek against Gemma's owner, who allegedly shot her March 28.

The owner, a 28-year-old Goodland Township man, has not been arrested or charged. The prosecutor's office is reviewing the case, Orn said Monday. The man's name has not been released because he has not been charged.

Orn said the owner took the approximately 2-year-old dog to a field and shot it after he told authorities that it acted aggressively toward his other dog, a pug. She said authorities did not see another dog at the man's property when they interviewed him about Gemma, who was found by a construction worker in North Branch a week ago.

She said Gemma is recovering at animal control after having the guesstimated 15-inch to 18-inch-long arrow removed from her head. She said Gemma has only one staple from the surgery, which a veterinarian did at a discount.

"She's doing great and starting to perk up," Orn said.

She said if the owner is willing to sign off on Gemma, she could be available for adoption. If not, she will be held, Orn said, because she is considered evidence.

Orn said the construction worker who found Gemma visited her the other day. She said he or someone from his company had thought about adopting the dog. Orn said she would consider giving the worker first crack.

"I think he deserves that much," she said, adding: "She's gonna make someone a great dog."

Orn said there is no specific fund established for donations for Gemma. Money to care for her is coming out of animal control's budget. Those interested in donating to animal control can do so by e-mailing Orn at aorn@lapeercounty.org, by calling animal control at 810-667-0236 or by sending a check to animal control at 2396 West Genessee, Lapeer 48446.